South Australia

Tasmania

Flinders Ranges

Overview

Access the heart of the Australian Outback and hike the ancient sun seared landscape of the remote Flinders Ranges. The Flinders’ fascinating geology and red ochre vistas make for unforgettable walking that’ll take your breath away. Walk both Alligator and Bunyeroo Gorges, hike Dutchman’s Stern, Rawnsley Bluff, Black Gap and Bridal Gaps, Tanderra Saddle among other places.

There is also a gentler side to this Flinders Ranges tour to discover. Walk Wilpena Pound floor encircled by a one of a kind colossal natural amphitheatre. In other valleys, native cypress pines cover gently rounded hills and massive meandering creek beds studded with majestic river red gums. We take care of every last detail so you can relax and fully experience this ancient landscape that once stood taller than the Himalayas.

DAY 1

Depart Adelaide at 8.30am. Travel to Melrose in the southern Flinders Ranges. In the afternoon walk and explore Alligator Gorge and the Terraces. Optional trips to Ali’s lookout and Gorge lookout.

Walks: Easy / 4 km / 2 hrs

Meals: Picnic at Alligator Gorge. Dine at a very authentic Australian outback hotel

Accommodation: Authentic Australian hotel at Melrose with ensuite rooms

DAY 2

Heading further north, we hike in the Dutchman’s Stern section of the Flinders Ranges. This circuit walk includes an outstanding variety of flora and panoramic views from the summit area.

Walks: Moderate / 14 km / 5-6 hrs / shorter option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the pub, lunch pack, and chef-prepared dinner at the Woolshed

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station with ensuite rooms

DAY 3

Hike over Black Gap into Wilpena Pound on the Heysen Trail. There’s an optional side trip to Wangara Lookout where kangaroos abound. The floor of the pound offers delightful flat walking. The area was farmed until 1904 leaving historic buildings behind. In the late afternoon we’ll venture over to a small hill and watch the sunset while sipping champagne.

Walks: Moderate / 16 km / 5 – 6 hrs / short option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the Woolshed, lunch pack, and dinner and drinks around a campfire

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station with ensuite rooms

DAY 4

Hike to the summit of Rawnsley Bluff and be treated to unrivalled views over the Chace and Elder Ranges with the added bonus of views inside the Pound. Lunch at the bluff is a real highlight. An easier option will include a walk to see more Aboriginal art and a visit to historic Old Wilpena Station where there are numerous buildings and relics to explore at a leisurely pace.

Walks: Moderate / 14 km / 6 hrs / short option is available

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the Woolshed, lunch pack and a chef prepared dinner at the Woolshed

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station with ensuite rooms

DAY 5

Explore remote Bunyeroo Gorge before hiking another section of the long distance Heysen Trail, heading south towards Wilpena Pound. There will also be a shorter option of the Bunyeroo and Wilcolo Creek Hike.

Walks: Mostly easy / 22 km / 6 hrs / shorter 10 km option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the Woolshed, lunch pack and a chef prepared dinner at the Woolshed

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station with ensuite rooms

DAY 6

Today’s climb will take us to rewarding views back over the ABC and Heysen Range and over the pound (a huge natural amphitheatre) are one of a kind. We will stop here for have lunch to take real time to take in the view.

Walks: Mostly moderate / 14 km / 4 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the Woolshed, lunch pack and a chef prepared dinner at the Woolshed.

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station in rooms with ensuites

DAY 7

Today we travel back to Adelaide via the historic settlement of Claire and the Clare Valley where we have lunch. Arrive in Adelaide by around 5.00pm.

Meals: Cooked breakfast at the Woolshed and lunch on the way back

Walk Grading

The Flinders Ranges walks are reasonably well graded and mostly easy to negotiate. Full day walks average about 17.5km with some ups and downs. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves on at least three of the days where we walk over 18 km.

In Melrose (southern Flinders Ranges) you’ll spend a night in the historic Star Hotel. The rooms are ensuite, hotel-style rooms, as well as a couple of converted trucks that are an experience in themselves.

For the remaining five nights we’ll base ourselves at Rawnsley Park, near Wilpena Pound. At this outback accommodation we’ll stay in studio-style motel rooms with ensuites and enjoy campfires and star gazing at night.

Dinners will be prepared by the professional chefs at the Woolshed at Rawnsley including the camp BBQ dinner. Every day we will wake to a cooked breakfast in the restaurant to ready ourselves for the upcoming days walks. The packed lunches complete the circle ensuring that your appetite is always satisfied. In fact, you can look forward to having lunch on a daily basis at some of the most incredible locations that this country has to offer. Walkers lunches are enhanced by Auswalk’s famous trail mix ensuring that you’ll never be hungry on the track.

Some tracks are rough and rocky and on those hikes we’ll cover shorter distances. Full day walks average 13-18 km. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves as there are rugged peaks to climb and remote gorges to explore. This trip operates with two experienced and knowledgeable, fun-loving guides so we can offer easier and more challenging walk options along the way.

You’ll enjoy dining at the Woolshed Restaurant – they also have an exclusive range of boutique wines to try. Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

Pre and post tour accommodation: There are many hotels in Adelaide. We pick up from and drop off at the Sage Hotel, 208 South Terrace, Adelaide. The tour starts at 8.30 at the Sage Hotel. We arrive in Adelaide by around 5.00pm on the last day.

See the Bureau of Meteorology for information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your Auswalk holiday after we have confirmed it. We offer a 30% discount on travel insurance booked via our website. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

REQUEST TO BOOK

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